PAID IN FULL

Waikato Times, Volume 127, Issue 21207, 2 September 1940, Page 3

PAID IN FULL

= NEW SERIAL STORY =

by H. S. Sarbert

fhiiiimimiiimiiiiiimimimiiimmimrc CHAPTER IV (Continued) “I don’t deny it,” he replied. “But, all the same ” “Go on, Harry!” “Well, you said just now you didn't wish to hurt me, Carrie—but you do hurt me when you talk that way about father ” “Meaning that you think more of him than you do of me?” Harry laughed. But his laugh was not a happy one; there was a bitterness in it that was not often to be noticed. “I’ve given you proof of that,” he said. “I’ve let my father down time and time again because of you. I’ve hurt him more than I ever thought it possible that I could hurt one who has always been so good to me, such a pal in every respect. I’ve done all that for you, Carrie—but I can’t allow even you to run down Dad!”

She gave him a sharp side-glance, and saw that his face looked very stern; that his jaw had set quite grimly. In the circumstances Carrie Lucas thought it better to drop the subject. After all, it didn’t matter such a lot. Harry was here by her side for the remainder of the day, and when Harry’s father called round for him he would find him gone. That was good enough! They had lunch in Brighton, then motored on to Worthing and Bognor, having tea at the latter place. Immediately after tea they set off again, Carrie stated that the driving was doing her any amount of good; that the keen air was putting fresh life and vitality into her—“driving all the cobwebs away,” she explained, with a laugh. Several times Harry protested at the speed at which she was driving, for he thought she was taking unnecessary risks. But Carrie just laughed, and told him not to be so old-fashioned. But she did not tell him- what she had in mind. He realised she was not taking the main road back to London, and she explained this by saying that she wanted to try out a new route through very pretty country. And it was not until Harry happened to catch sight of a sign-post marked “Shalford—3 miles” that he realised what was happening. Carrie glanced up. “Now do you see?” she asked. I’m giving a good little boy a real surprise by driving him right through his native village! You know you told me that you would like to visit the old homestead once again—and now you can do it. Call in home and see that everything’s all right, and give your father a big surprise when you see him tomorrow. He comes to London especially to look after you, and while he’s in London you go back to Shalford!” Harry did not reply at once. As a matter of fact, he did not know whether to be pleased or sorry. He had said that he would like to go back to Shalford for a few hours to see how things were going, but he would not have thought of visiting the place just now. However, the three remaining miles were soon covered, for it was a clear stretch of road. They entered Shalford, and went along the High Street and past the church. Just as the bells were ringing out for evening service. Harry knew that he was being recognised—that folk going to church were looking at him and whispering to themselves. An Accident “Carrie, you must slow down!” he said. “You can’t speed along here. There’ll be an. accident—and it’s Sunday night. You hear me?” He spoke urgently, and Carrie shrugged her shoulders. “All right,” she said. “Don” worry so, for goodness sake! Why, here’s someone you know!” She brought the car to a standstill by the side of a girl who was walking along, and Harry found himself face to face with Viola Winn. “Viola!” he cried. “Harry!” They clasped hands, and Carrie saw the colour ebb and flow in Viold's cheeks. This was the country girl that Harry had left behind with a broken heart! Carrie found she got a certain malicious pleasure out of this meeting. Harry and Viola spoke quite naturally, however. Viola asked him how he was getting on, how his father 'was, and told him that the business was doing well. “You’ll be going along to the shop, I suppose?” she asked. “Do you want the key?” Harry shook his head. “I’ll do what I’ve done so many times before—climb the back gate and unfasten the catch of. the kitchen window,” he said. “Do you remember how I used to do that when I wanted to get in without Dad knowing, Viola?” “And I used to stand round by the side to watch the road, in case he should lie coming!” she answered. “All that doesn’t seem so long ago now, does it?” “Scarcely any time,” he replied. They were still talking when John Winn came up—but the old man had no smile or welcome for Harry. “You’ll have to be getting into church, my dear,” he said. “We don’t want to be late.” “Harry is offering to shake hands with you, grandfather,” Viola stated. “Ay, I can see that he’s holding out his hand; but then, I’m rather particular! I don't shake hands with everyone who offers!” the old man replied. “Granddad!” Viola cried, deeply hurt. “I mean it! And I don’t care a snap of the finger whom I offend and when I please,” Mr Winn said. “I don’t agree with joy-riding in motor cars on a Sunday. I believe in keeping the Sabbath in the way we’re told to keep it in the commandments!'’ “You would!” Carrie muttered. Old John glared at her. Pie put his hand to his ear now. “I don’t know whether you said anything to me, miss,” he said. “I'm a little deaf these days—so perhaps I didn’t catch it. But if you would be so good as to raise your voice a little ” Carrie laughed. “It doesn’t matter,” she said. “Doesn’t matter, eh? That’s all right. It seems to prove to me that whatever you were talking about was of no importance—in which case it was a pity you troubled to say it at all.” (To be continued daily)